Barbara

Hard but Necessary

Revisado: 02-06-23

This book changed my point of view on how this country takes care of its poorest citizens. It is a hard read - in that the subject matter is often disturbing. I found myself raging at the injustice this family faced daily and left me wondering how so many survive or don't in this system we've created to "help" people. I would highly recommend this to anyone who thinks they know how the poorest get by. It will change your mind and hopefully, open your heart. It's very well written, thoughtfully constructed, and difficult to put down once you get started.

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Excellent story and insights

Revisado: 09-10-17

What did you love best about Hillbilly Elegy?

This book offers a perspective that I've never heard before, namely that of a young man coming from an unprivileged family and background that makes it out into a new life riding on the raw love of his family members. So this was an inspiring book but also one that really showed that shadow world of poverty and drug addiction and what that can do to a family.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hillbilly Elegy?

The car ride with the mother was really hard to forget. That followed me for a while.

Which character – as performed by J. D. Vance – was your favorite?

The grandmother and grandfather as individuals and as a team in keeping young J.D. on track. Real, raw and just wonderful.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

This does help explain where so many are coming from. A really good book to read to understand this young man's experience but also as it parallels the experience of too many young people these days.

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Outstanding!

Revisado: 01-26-16

Where does All the Light We Cannot See rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the best books I've ever read, period! It is so well crafted, such a compelling story and so well performed, it puts a lot of other reads to shame.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Both of the main characters, Marie-Laure and Werner are both so relatable and so real. We can't help but root for both of them from the beginning as their lives unfold. Marie-Laure's disability is so unreal given the upheaval of her world and Werner likewise being caught in this vise of history. Neither seem to have control over their own lives or destinies yet they appear so strong within that context.

What about Zach Appelman’s performance did you like?

Thought the voice in this was so wonderful - not over the top at all and a perfect match for the subject and tone of this book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Have no idea. It would be hard to capture this book in a sound bite.

Any additional comments?

Everyone should read this book. Yep - it's that good.

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Outstanding!

Revisado: 12-10-14

Where does Middlemarch rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of the best audio books I've read so far because it's a perfect combination of voice and material. Juliet Stevenson is just outstanding as a narrator and perfect for a book that has so many characters and so much rich and complex language. She makes the voices distinctive.

What other book might you compare Middlemarch to and why?

The language of this book is classic 20th century so I am not sure there is a comparison to books I've read recently. The language is complex, richly populated with exquisite vocabulary and the point of view is rare among pieces of contemporary fiction.

What does Juliet Stevenson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A velvet voice, an impressive range of character voices and stellar accents.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. It's way too long. It is a book I didn't want to end.

Any additional comments?

This is a book for people who truly love language, characters and who are not looking for wildly plot driven pieces of work. This is a perfect portrait of a quaint village and it's inhabitants, beautifully rendered.

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The kind of book that changes your life

Revisado: 04-01-14

Would you consider the audio edition of Oryx and Crake to be better than the print version?

I really enjoyed this book in audible form.

What did you like best about this story?

This story made me think about all those future possibilities in a new way. The characters are so rich and compelling, it was hard to get out of the car.

Have you listened to any of Campbell Scott’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not heard him perform before but will look for him again.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! Couldn't get enough of this story.

Any additional comments?

Atwood is such a stellar writer. Such rich language and an imaginative world that has so much resonance into our own. Loved this! Just bought the second in the series.

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Worst performance Ever

Revisado: 04-01-14

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I could not get past this narrator's voice. She sounds like a high schooler and not in a good way. Her diction is terrible. Her voice is so nasal it gave me a headache. I am so disappointed they would ever choose someone so inept to narrate.

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